Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Joe “Doc” Worley was one of the very first veterans Semper Fi & America’s Fund ever supported — a bond that began in a moment of crisis and has endured for more than two decades.
In 2004, Doc deployed to Fallujah as an infantry platoon medic. When an IED struck Marines in his unit, he ran toward the blast to reach them. A second explosion tore through the area, claiming his left leg and severely injuring his right. Gravely wounded and fighting for his own life, Doc stayed conscious long enough to call out life-saving instructions for other injured Marines. For his valor under fire, he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
When he returned to the U.S., Doc quickly realized that the battle was far from over. Coming home meant facing 20 months of grueling rehabilitation, constant pain, and the fear of an uncertain future. When his wife and young daughter arrived at his bedside, the realities of everyday life did not pause: Travel costs, lost income, child needs, and the confusing maze of medical appointments all began to mount. In those overwhelming early days, The Fund moved quickly to lift as many burdens as possible, helping with financial gaps, travel and lodging, and the practical details that allowed Doc’s young family to remain together and focus on healing.
That first act of support was only the beginning. Over the next 20 years, Doc faced new challenges at home: navigating stairs and narrow hallways, managing pain, and trying to create a safe, stable environment for his family. The Fund has accompanied Doc on every part of his healing journey, providing ongoing family support grants to ease financial strain and funding critical home modifications so Doc could move safely, access essential rooms, and live more independently.
Today, the Worley family’s story reflects what The Fund believes at its core: Care does not end when the hospital stay is over. It continues for a lifetime, ensuring that those who have sacrificed so much never have to navigate the road of recovery alone.
“Knowing I have The Fund in my corner is one of the reasons I feel secure in my ability to take care of my family.”
